taking it up a notch...

Sage advice on planning a stellar party from the uber creative Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day, applicable to everything from a birthday party to a wedding. I chose this photo from her post simply because it fits in with my recent rainbow infatuation. Seriously, I am obsessed. I shall blame it on the dismal weather.

handmade weddings

Came across this yesterday on Design*Sponge... I can't tell you how much I wish there was a book like this on the shelves when I was getting married back in 2004. If you're interesting in this DIY, creative, everything meaningful, nothing glitzy, low-key, high energy vibe - this ones for you!
Handmade Weddings, by Eunice Moyle, Sabrina Moyle, and Shana Faust available at Amazon.

spoonflower!

Perhaps I'm the last to know, but I just discovered Spoonflower, an online custom fabric printer that allows anyone to print yards of fabric of their own design. As a pattern obsessed person, this is huge for me. I could literally spend the next 3 days doing nothing but making fabrics, printing swatches and ordering yardage. I have a stool in my entry way that desperately needs reupholstering, and have not been able to find suitable fabric. Spoonflower! I have patterns I love that I've created for wedding invitations, and have been dying to find alternate uses for them. Spoonflower! I'm sure more than a few of you might be interested in this for wedding decor. Think table cloths, flower girl dresses, DIY projects, centerpieces... the possibilities are endless. The fabric gets pretty pricey if you needs lots of yards, but if you want only a couple yards to create accents - the price is right!

real simple weddings

If I had to create an SAT-style statement about it, I'd say that the Real Simple Weddings book is to wedding planning what the Domino Book of Decorating is to modern decor. It's kind of a general guide that explains the principals behind planning a beautiful wedding, rather than recommending specific products that are too expensive for the average bride to afford. I find this sort of advice more helpful anyway, don't you? It's a little on the small side, as I would like even more information, but for the price, it's totally worth it. The floral section is amazing!

cool blog!

The newest addition to my blogroll, and my newest addiction. Oh So Beautiful Paper satisfies the design snob, the paper fiend and the wedding buff inside me. What more can you ask for?

Keeping your options open

I am loving everything about the Macbeth Collection...from the votives to the tubs, to the vases and tool caddy. The best part is that they can be customized with the pattern or style you choose as well as with print or a monogram. Love that! Endless options!

These would be so fun to display drinks in or other goodies at a wedding or backyard party. They also would work great for centerpieces. Wouldn't you just love to fill these as welcome tubs too? I am just dying to find somewhere to use them. Any other ideas?

updo tutorials

My friend Deirdre sent me this link and I thought I'd share it because so many people have asked me for up-do resources. The stylist is Johnny Lavoy from Ford Artists, and he has a series of how-to videos on easy up-dos that you and a friend could pull off for your wedding with a little practice. That's $300 you would have spent on a hair stylist saved for something else! Yay!

candy bars

It's late, and I'm off to San Francisco early tomorrow morning (yay!). My twin sister moved there this summer to go to Berkeley for her PHD in archaeology. I haven't seen her since July, so I'm super excited! I'll be staying with her in Oakland, if anyone has any suggestions... I'm all ears.
I'm leaving you with this incredible eye candy from Amy Atlas Events, all sweetness and light! Via my favorite San Francisco based blog, Oh Happy Day.

I do, to Ban.do

The much blogged about and ridiculously adorable online shop ban.do now has whole new crop of headpieces. So, if even for a moment you are stumped for wedding inspiration, or you’re not sure what look you’re going for, just hop into this shop full of feathers and glitter and let your imagination run wild.

Not only are the headpieces and headbands full of fun unique vintages bits, they also come with a Haiku. Maybe you can work it into your vows? Just a thought... The combo of bright colors and different textures are also fantastic for stealing some color palate ideas from. And sporting one with your wedding dress assures that the focus stays where it should…on you.

Fabulous headpieces are an easy find right now, Etsy has a good selection too, so be sure to browse around. Personally I think they are the perfect way to vamp up a traditional veil, or to take the place of one instead! Some other headpiece shops worth peeking at: Twigs and Honey, House of Telsa, and Portobello.

And if you are craftily inclined, piecing together a headpiece out of fabric and jewelry with some sentimental value, such as your grandmother's earrings and your mother's veil, would be a great way to make statement, while keeping things in the family.

So think pretty and have some fun with your head.

Ta Da....

Rebeka and Ami from Elizabeth Anne Designs just sent over this exciting new announcement and I just had to share!

"We are incredibly excited to announce our new project, The EAD Library. After months of development and research, we are launching a new resource for brides tomorrow, Tuesday July 22nd. The Library is filled with hundreds of useful links, from photographers to shops to stationers. Our goal is a simple, comprehensive list of vendors. The Library will help every bride, no matter her location, find the vendors and inspiration she needs for a beautiful event. "

The library is officially open...take the time to peruse for an hour or two! What a great resource that is now available at the fingertips of every bride! Keep the inspiration coming ladies. We love it!

something to inspire

For an illustrator turn fashion/wedding enthusiast it doesn't get better than this. I will be inspired/distracted/amused for weeks.

i'm ashamed to admit...

This is not a glamorous post. I don't really have any shiny photos or appealing visuals. Mostly, I'm passing on info about this service (not because I've tried it) but because... (true confession alert)... I have been married for more than three years, and my own name is still not completely clear to me. I'm Ms. Law (my maiden name) when I fly to Canada. Mrs. Sala when I drive my car. Ms. Law gets calls from telemarketers all the time. Mrs. Sala gets mortgage bills. Ms. Law gets all my Syracuse alumni mail. Mrs. Sala owns the car, but it's paid for by Ms. Law's credit card. This has been going on for 3 years. 3 years people! I'm sure I could get it all done in a week, I'm sure it would be "easy". But at this point, I'm just totally intimidated by all the paper work. Looking back on my own experience, it might have been worth it to order a service just to have something that tells you what to do and when to do it. Just paying money for the service might have compelled me to get it done. If anyone has a chance to try this service (Maiden Name Change.com), please let us know how it goes. Those of us* (*read "me") who have no service? We have stalled.

wedding craziness

Photo by Karenscape.

There's so much going on right now in the bridal community with the wedding season coming up fast and furious. I just thought I'd share a few of the events and happenings out-and-about the online wedding neighborhood.
1) The Wedding Library is hosting a Wedding Party!, (a champagne breakfast at the Carlyle) on January 26th, 2008 from 11-4. Dish with the likes of Darcy Miller and Mark Ingram on the details of the perfect wedding. Visit The Wedding Library or call 212.327.0100 for tickets. Mention Something Old, Something New when you check in at the event, and get a free copy of "Clearing the Aisle" a humorous (no doubt wedding themed) novel by Karen Schwartz.
2) Karenscape Photographers is giving away a FREE complete wedding photography package every four months in 2008. But this is not a random raffle. Karenscape is searching for the most romantic, serendipitous, poignant, funny, and inspiring stories of how you found "the one". To win you must create a 3-minute-or-less video relaying your story. Upload your video to YouTube.com and send an email to Karenscape. For full contest entry details, visit www.karenscape.com.
3) 2007 was an incredible year for Blue Orchid Designs and to say thank you, they are giving away a Wedding Day Coordination package to one lucky couple tying the knot in 2008! All you have to do to enter is send an email to Blue Orchid telling them in 300 words or less why you should win. You can nominate yourself or a friend. What better engagement gift to give them than a stress-free wedding day? Check out the Blue Orchid blog for more information and entry rules.

let them read about cake!

I was lucky enough to score an early copy of this book, by Martha Stewart and Wendy Kromer, and I LOVE it. It's a collection of some of the most (or all the most) beautiful wedding cake images from Martha Stewart Weddings through the last several years. If you're contemplating your cake or looking for inspiration, look no further. $60-- no $37! well spent. You'll get all the inspiration you need to guide your baker to a seriously drool-worthy confection. I'd love to donate my copy to some lucky bride, or baker... Perhaps I will come up with some sort of contest... stay tuned.

the dream house

So this is an interesting concept. Conde Nast has created something called Dream House. As far as I understand it, Dream House is a showplace home, designed to inspire newlywed or newly engaged couples. In addition to displaying some fabulous decor, the fanciest in bridal attire, and the epitome of registry chic, the Dream House will be open to the public for tours, cocktail parties, classes and spa treatments. The Dream House will only be open for four weeks, starting on the 18th of October. You can visit the Dream House main site to see a schedule of events, and purchase tickets. Part of the proceeds will go toward the I Do Foundation, and at $10 per event, it seems like a pretty reasonable fee for a cocktail party or a manicure. Take a few of the girlfriends! Where is this Dream House you ask? Manhattan, of course.

introducing jenny ebert

Every night, before I go to bed, I post on this blog (usually). I read a lot of websites, get a lot of emails, and in general, I know fair deal about wedding related stuff. I can find an adorable bridesmaids gift in no time, cough Etsy. My brain is a-wash in color schemes. And don't even get me started on invitations. That being said, even with all my accumulated knowledge, I go to maybe three weddings a year? Maybe? What would happen if I went to a wedding every weekend? Would I be laden with that many more spectacular ideas? Hmmmmm. I don't want to go to a wedding every weekend. I don't have enough dress-up clothes for that. Plus I would get fat off the coconut shrimp and "signature cocktails".
Enter Jenny Ebert. I will let Jenny introduce herself in a sec, but boiled down, Jenny is the girl who goes to a gazillion weddings (she's the photographer). She's a professional wedding-goer. She's there in the trenches, while I'm out here- in theoretical wedding land. So from time to time, Jenny will be posting here on Something Old, Something New. She'll be offering a real-life perspective on weddings, a first hand account of what real bride's are doing on their wedding days. What worked? What didn't? Ask Jenny! So without further ado, I'll let her say a quick hello. If you have questions for Jenny, about photography or otherwise, feel free to ask them in the comment section.


Hi! I’m Jenny Ebert. I am a Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer based out of NYC. When I’m not taking photographs I spend most of my time doing a never-ending list of projects. Thanks to my stylishly chic and oh-so-fabulous Brides (and possibly my little obsession with all things wedding) the inspiration, ideas and projects never seems to cease. More to come, very soon.

Best,
Jenny

interview with darcy miller

I know I'm not the only one who's excited that Darcy Miller, (Editor at MS Weddings) has taken up blogging. Several wedding bloggers have posted about The Bride's Guide (Darcy's blog) and I just know there are wedding blog readers out there dying to pick Darcy's brain. Personally, the idea of an Editor at Martha Stewart Weddings entertaining my questions is just plain fun. So without further ado, I'll give you the Q and A:

Q: Take us back to when you were first engaged. Aside from calling family and friends, what was the first thing you set your mind to?
A: When you first get engaged, the first thing you should figure out is where and when you want your wedding and then set the date. I had a special place in mind for my wedding, so I had to first check availability.
There are four things that are most important to start with as they will affect each other: budget, size, style and location. It’s important to first determine the budget (or at least a range) as this will affect the size. Both families should write down their must-haves and their wish list of guests before even starting to look at location. Next, you should determine the style that will reflect you as a couple (ex. small beach wedding or large traditional wedding). And then you’ll be able to determine the location based on all of these things.

Q: Is there one paramount "wed-iquette" rule you would never break?
A: The most important thing is to be comfortable at your own wedding. Don’t do anything that doesn’t feel right to you. Etiquette rules are supposed to inspire, however, it’s up to you as a couple to make all the decisions and make it personalized.

Q: Every wedding seems to have its snafus, (charming or otherwise). Can you share one of your own wedding mishaps?
A: I was lucky to not have any major mishaps at my wedding. For the last few days leading up to the wedding, I hired my friend and wedding planner Elizabeth Allen to help me out. It allowed me to enjoy my time with friends and family.

Q: What are some of your favorite fall wedding color combinations?
A: The most popular color combinations for fall are jewel tones and pastels mixed with browns. However, I also really like brighter colors and you can never go wrong with classic wedding colors such as white and silver. In the Fall issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, we feature emerald green and aqua in our regular palette story. The issue is on stands on October 1.

Q: Describe your ideal experience as a wedding guest.
A: Wedding guests should feel welcome and comfortable from the moment they receive the invitation through every detail of the ceremony and reception. So if it’s a fall wedding, make sure guests won’t be too cold at an outdoor reception or too hot at a summer wedding. Music is also a very important guest experience – it sets the tone so choose carefully.
Make sure that no matter how big or small, that at some point you greet all guests individually. Destination weddings are popular because the couples have more time to spend with their families and friends.

wedding style goldmine

I came across the portfolio pages of photo stylist/crafter/designer Rebecca Thuss via Oh Joy!, and couldn't resist posting them here. Her site is truly a treasure trove of wedding related photographs and ideas, (mostly due to the fact that she's the former style director of Martha Stewart Weddings), and would be a great style resource for any bride. Check it out!

don't miss it!

Abby, over at Style Me Pretty, emailed me earlier this week about me about her fantastic Inspiration Board Contest. Even if you don't enter, the submissions she's collected are really spectacular. The creativity represented there is just amazing. Seriously, check it out.

cocktail catalog

I know it's Monday morning, and cocktails are more of a Friday afternoon kind of post, but I just couldn't help it. They're pretty! Whether you're looking for a signature cocktail to serve at your wedding, a pitcher of fun for the bachelorette, or planning ahead for Friday, Hostess with the Mostess has a great collection of cocktail recipes (among other things). Love the scorpion bowl idea-- so retro.